Sound Shore

This article was written by Heidi Sickles from a meeting of the Local Summit, a nonpartisan, informal community council that seeks to improve life in in Larchmont/Mamaroneck. For information about the group, call co-presidents Mary Lee Berridge at 914-834-0192 or Elaine Chapnick at 914-834-3049.

This community benefits from a broad array of mental health services, directors from both The Guidance Center and the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center told the Local Summit at its Oct. 19 meeting at the Nautilus Diner in Mamaroneck, but questions from the audience made it clear that not all in the community are aware of these services or know how to access them.

Services have been expanded to meet changing needs, but the question of adequate funding is a continual one as budgets are approved year to year. Both organizations stressed the importance of private funding through the generosity of community members as well as support from the state, county, municipalities and school district.

BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES AVAILABLE
The Guidance Center (www.theguidancecenter.org) takes a holistic, or wrap-around approach, providing a variety of services to meet the needs of a particular client, recognizing that there are usually multiple challenges being faced. For example, if a child comes in with developmental or behavioral issues, services can be offered to wrap around the needs of the entire family, which may include help with housing, vocational or substance abuse issues. Laura Newman, the Director of Development, explained that the organization has served all of Westchester Country since 1942, adding that its staff of social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists saw over 4500 clients last year. Treatment is evidence-based and person-centered, which means it stays focused on what the client wants. Their goal to “help people learn, work and thrive” drives their broad-based service philosophy. One of the new initiatives at The Guidance Center is administering the New York State Child and Family Clinic Plus free screening program to help identify at-risk children who are in danger of falling through the cracks. If issues are identified, the center will walk the family through potential next steps. (more…)

This just in from the Mamaroneck school district: At its Tuesday evening meeting, the Mamaroneck Board of Education discussed and approved the formation of a Citizens Budget Advisory Committee that will help educate and involve the community during the upcoming budget season and provide insight to the Board of Education and Central Administration on specific budget components.  An introductory meeting for community members interested in learning more about the mission of the Committee — part of the District’s broader Finance Committee — and how they can participate will be held on Monday, Nov. 8 th at 7:30 p.m. in the Mamaroneck High School Library Classroom. 
“Last year, community members expressed interest in learning more about the budget and how it takes shape in advance of our community meetings,” said Superintendent Robert Shaps.  “We are creating this advisory committee in response to that interest and look forward to the committee’s insights.” (more…)

This just in from the New Rochelle Humane Society: In honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Day on Oct. 23, New Rochelle Humane Society is proud to announce our “Don’t Believe the Bull” Photo Contest! What better way to change the perceptions and stereotypes associated with the pit bull breed than to hear from those who know and love them? If you share your heart and home with a pit bull terrier, we want to hear from you! Please submit a photo and a short blurb about your bully buddy and you could win a free photoshoot with professional photographer, Klara Hanincova. All submissions will be featured on our website. To learn more, please visit www.newrochellehumanesociety.org. Submission deadline is midnight, Oct. 22. Contest winner will be announced on Oct. 23.

The shelter is at 70 Portman Road New Rochelle. Call 914 632-2925 It is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m except Thursday (2 to 8 p.m.)

If you can’t attend the SPCA of Westchester’s Top Hat & Cocktails event at the Ritz-Carlton, Westchester in White Plains (Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. Two-footers get a silent auction and musical entertainment, four-footers get gourmet dog treats and canine ice cream bars. Tickets start at $200. Contact Lisa Bonanno at 914-941-2896, Ext 22, or lisa@spca914.org.)….then perhaps you’d still like to participate in its online silent auction? As the shelter says, “not only will you win a wonderful item or experience, but you will be helping an animal that needs you, so it is a win win! For those of you who can not attend the gala, this is a great way to still help support the SPCA’s mission. None of our items come from consignment dealers, so 100% of your bid goes towards the SPCA shelter animals!”

To see the items and bid, go to www.idonatetocharity.org/store/SPCAwestchester. The online auction ends Thursday, Oct. 21 at noon. All posted items are subject to a higher bid the night of the gala event. If you are still the highest bidder after the event, you will be notified by the SPCA of Westchester so that you can complete your purchase offline. Happy bidding!

This just in: The Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its first Halloween Spooktacular Oct. 24. The traditional Halloween Window Painting will be included in the Spooktacular, as well as trick or treating on Mamaroneck Avenue in costume and a Haunted House at the former Hook & Ladder Fire House. Click below for the details:

2010SpooktacularPoster

This just in: The Board of Trustees of Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester has announced the appointment of Howard J. Goldsmith as its new rabbi.

Goldsmith, 32, is replacing Rabbi Daniel S. Wolk, who is retiring after 43 years of leading the Congregation, and will be officially installed at 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at the synagogue, 2125 Westchester Ave. in Rye. The event, which is open to the public, will include a talk by Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman, the Barbara and Stephen Friedman Professor of Liturgy, Worship and Ritual at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.(Here’s Goldsmith with his wife, Rabbi Jennifer Goldsmith, and their 17-month-old son, Lev).

“We are extremely excited that Rabbi Goldsmith will lead us in the next phase of our growth,” said Bruce Freyer, president of the Congregation and a resident of Scarsdale. “His passion, knowledge of Judaism, ability to interact with people of all ages and leadership skills make him the ideal person to build on our traditions of community involvement, receptivity to new, diverse members and enriching congregants’ experiences as Reform Jews.”

A resident of New Rochelle, Goldsmith most recently served as Assistant Rabbi at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York, where he reinvigorated the Congregation’s Religious School, developed cutting edge programming for those in their 20s and 30s, and developed new models for family worship.

While he will continue working with pre-40-year-olds, Goldsmith’s major focus will be on Westchester families with children about to begin their Jewish education and older adults for whom he says exploration of issues concerning Reform Judaism and Israel is “invigorating, educational, enjoyable and conducive to new experiences.” Included among upcoming activities aimed at connecting with current and new members are an Oct. 23 Shabbat hike with the rabbi and an Oct. 24 bagel brunch to discuss the proposed conversion bill in Israel.

Prior to attending HUC and receiving his rabbinic ordination in 2007, Rabbi Goldsmith was a management consultant specializing in human resources with Sibson & Company in New York City. He has a Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing from Cornell University. While at HUC, Rabbi Goldsmith was extremely active in community activities; lending his expertise and energy to Eisner Camp, the Laramie Jewish Community Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Temple Emanu-El of the City of New York, the Israel Religious Action Center, Syracuse University Hillel and Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. His academic achievements earned him the Aaron & Margery Levenstein Prize in Human Relations, the Sarah & Samuel Chernick Memorial Prize in Halakhic Literature and the Temple Emanu-El (Dallas) Prize in Liturgy & Spirituality.

For more information about the Congregation, visit www.congregationemanuel.org.

…then this event is for you!

What: Chocolations: Grand Opening of Westchester’s ONLY Chocolate Factory!
Come and see delicious chocolate being made right before your eyes! Sweet confections, baked goodies, frozen hot chocolate, hot cocoa, smoothies, coffee and tea. Purchase and special order personal, corporate gifts and favors for special events. Book a unique and memorable personal or corporate event or party right in the Factory!

Who: Maria Valente, owner and chocolatier. Eileen Fisher Grantee, Winner of Westchester Magazine’s, “Best Of” Best Truffle 2008 and Next Generation Chocolatier.

When: Doors are opened! Grand Opening Celebration Week begins Tuesday, Oct. 12 th through Saturday, Oct. 16 with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the 16th at 1 p.m. with Village of Mamaroneck Mayro, Norm Rosenblum.

Bonus: Monthly calendar of events will include ongoing daily and evening special events for children and adults. (creative chocolate and baking classes, wine and chocolate pairings, book signings, music events, etc.)

Where: 607 East Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, NY

When: 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday

More info: 914.777.3600. www.chocolations.com. visit us on twitter & facebook

Mark your calendars, and sign up! This just in:
MAMARONECK AVENUE SCHOOL GIANT TAG SALE and FAMILY FUN DAY!
Sale is to help raise money for a much needed playground.

DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 (rain date Sunday, October 17th)
TIME: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PLACE: MAMARONECK AVENUE SCHOOL, 850 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck

If you would like to MAKE DONATIONS, you may drop off your items in the All Purpose Room at Mamaroneck Avenue School on Friday, October 15 starting at 2 p.m. There will also be donation boxes located in all of the Mamaroneck School district’s schools beginning on Oct. 11.

We can NOT accept donations of clothing, blankets, or stuffed animals.
We are especially looking for donations of bicycles, furniture, and sporting equipment.

IT’S NOT JUST A TAG SALE:
There will be vendors and local businesses, entertainment for the kids, 50/50 raffles, bake sale, popcorn, cotton candy and much more….

If you would like to participate, you may rent a table/space for $50 (please provide your own table covering).

Businesses and vendors are welcome to promote their business and sell products.
DEADLINE FOR TABLE/SPACE RENTAL IS OCT. 8.

We are glad and grateful to accept monetary donations if you do not want to participate, but still wish to help our cause!!

For more information contact Lynne Dearwester at 914-439-3955 or Tina Maresca at TinaMaresca@aol.com

This is from thee New Rochelle Business Improvement District:

School has started and so have BID Family Days —FREE downtown events for children sponsored by the BID and brought to all families through a partnership of the New Rochelle Library, Schools, Parks and Recreation and PTA.
Pick up the new BID Downtown Discount Passport which entitles you to receive great savings on BID Family Days at eight participating family focused stores and restaurants. Get your Passport stamped as you shop at all eight businesses by the year’s end and receive a special present from the BID (click here for details)

The season kicks off tomorrow. Here’s the schedule:

BID Family Days Kick-off Spectacular and New Rochelle Arts Fest
Saturday, October 2, 12:30 – 4:30 pm
Amazing Circus Antics by the hilarious and highly-skilled performers of the National Circus Project; fabulous crafts to make and take home; dazzling demonstrations by local martial arts, dance and yoga schools; refreshments and regalia—are all part of this crowd-pleasing annual event for families and kids of all ages. Library Green, library’s Ossie Davis Theater and Meeting Room. Free; Made possible by the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) and Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library.

Window-painting and Mask-making
Saturday October 23, 10:00 am–11:30 am Families with children ages 8–12 years are invited to paint Halloween scenes on the windows of downtown businesses, beginning at 10:00 am. A mask-making workshop geared for younger children will take place in Library Green. In the event of rain, the workshop will take place at 10:00 am in the New Rochelle Public Library’s Meeting Room. Free. Families must pre-register in order to paint a window: e-mail ngainor@newrochelleny.com or (654-2116).

Urchin’s Parade and Pumpkin Painting
Saturday, October 30th
9:45 am: Parade, followed by Pumpkin-Painting
Line-up for the annual Merchant’s Urchins Parade begins at 9:45 am at New Street, New Roc City (in front of Regal Cinema) and ends at the Ossie Davis Park at Library Green. Treats and pumpkin-painting on the Green follows, in Library Green. (If rain: parade is cancelled and pumpkin painting will take place in the library’s meeting room).

BID Family Day: Day of the Dead Celebration
Monday, November 1st, 5:00 – 8:00 pm
The library’s fourth annual observance of this festive observance from Mexico, will again feature an elaborate exhibit of papier-mâché figures, colorful paper cut-outs and the ofrenda that holds photographs and possessions of loved ones who have died—all created by residents of Mexican descent and open to all to visit. At 5:00 pm, a family craft workshop will guide participants in the making of some of the traditional symbols used in the celebration, such as Calaveras, (“mischievous dead”). At 8:00 pm, a Mariachi band will top off the event with an exuberant performance on Library Green and in the Library’s lobby.

BID Family Day: Performance of the Black Bear’s Hudson Valley Tale
Saturday, November 20 2:00 pm
Delightfully reminiscent of Prokofiev’s classic “Peter and the Wolf”, this beautiful theatrical concert weaves an original story by children’s author and illustrator Iza Trapani, original instrumental and vocal music by the ensemble Madera Vox, and creative movement into a performance that engages the hearts and minds of children and their families, allowing them to “see” with their ears and “hear” with their eyes. Charming and beautifully rendered visuals by Ms. Trapani accompany the one hour story and the music.

BID Family Day: Make a Gift Fair
Saturday, December 4 12:30 – 2:30 pm
One of our most popular events, the BID staff of teachers and teens help children ages 5 and older use their creativity to make three lovely presents to give to family and friends this holiday season. Wrapping and gift tags included!

BID Family Holiday Concert: Harps!
Sunday, December 19, 3:00 pm
The Westchester Harp Ensemble performs a selection of delightful enchanting music.

Reminder: The Rye Art Center’s ‘Painters on Location’
The Rye Arts Center invites residents of all communities to attend the 10th Annual Painters on Location: Plein-air Paint-out and Live Art Auction.

Over 40 professional artists from the tri-state area have been invited to paint “on location” today and tomorrow. Artists will paint from 7 a.m. today to 2 p.m. tomorrow, rain or shine, capturing scenic views of the Hudson Valley region. This marks the second year that artists, no longer limited to the Sound Shore, are able to paint throughout the entire Hudson Valley region.

The freshly painted works-landscapes, historic sites and street scenes-will be delivered to The Rye Arts Center (RAC) in time for a public exhibition and festive reception in the RAC’s Gallery from 5 to 6 p.m.. A professional auctioneer will begin the live auction at 6:15 in the RAC’s Performing Arts Room. The reception is free but anyone who is interested in attending the live auction will be asked to purchase a $10 bidding paddle. Guests are encouraged to purchase bidding paddles in advance as seating is limited.

A Silent Auction of existing works by artists participating in the “Paint-out” is on view in the RAC’ s Gallery. The silent auction will remain open thereafter from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, and close 15 minutes after the live auction culminates tomorrow.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to watch artists painting en plein-air ! If you are out and about at any time during the day look for RAC balloons or check The Rye Arts Center’s website www.ryeartscenter.org for a list of sites. The artists encourage passers-by to stop to observe the time-honored, very challenging art of plein-air painting.

For more information please call 914-967-0700 or visit www.ryeartscenter.org.